When I first met the folks at JobFlow a few years back, they were showing off a clever little productivity booster called the BraiderBot. It was one of those “why didn’t I think of that?” tools—essentially a cobotic add-on to a braiding machine that eliminated the need for an operator to constantly tend the process. Operators could start a braid and let the bot do the heavy lifting, eliminating the repetitive harness-pulling that traditionally came with the territory. From the beginning, it struck me as an elegant and impactful idea.
At the time, we ran coverage in Wiring Harness News. First came the article on BraiderBot add-ons for Cobra and NEB braiders, followed by a deeper dive into BraiderBot for 16- and 32-carrier machines.
But a recent call with the team at SurePoint—specifically General Manager Tim McFee, Production Manager Brady Smith, and Floor Lead Hope McFee—completely reframed how I see the JobFlow solution.
I Showed Up for BraiderBot. I Got Something Bigger.
When Fred Manz from JobFlow invited me to hear about a customer success story in the ag sector, I assumed it would be a straightforward conversation about BraiderBot and how it helped SurePoint automate their braiding. And sure, the BraiderBot did play a part. But what I didn’t expect was how little the SurePoint team talked about BraiderBot alone, and how much they emphasized the value of the complete package—a new Cobra braider, pre-integrated with the BraiderBot, shipped turnkey from JobFlow.
Their enthusiasm wasn’t just about cobotics—it was about modernization. Brady, Tim, and Hope weren’t comparing the BraiderBot to their old setup. They were comparing this entire integrated machine to the aging, maintenance-heavy NEB-style braiders they’d been relying on for years.
As Brady explained, “We wanted [BraiderBot] the first time we saw it, but it wasn’t in the budget. Then our machines started getting older. Maintenance was constant. It was time.”
A Complete Solution That Just Made Sense
So, when SurePoint was finally ready to upgrade, they didn’t just get a BraiderBot. They got an all-in-one solution—a modern Cobra braider configured specifically for BraiderBot integration (with certain redundant parts that BraiderBot replaces) and delivered as a compact turnkey unit. JobFlow’s close relationship with equipment manufacturers means JobFlow can pass those savings along to the customer. The result: a clean, efficient, and cost-effective braiding system that arrives as a seamless package.
Fred described it as “a stripped-down Cobra, built specifically to host the BraiderBot.” Cobra and Wardwell don’t void the warranty on these new machines. That’s because the BraiderBot doesn’t alter how the braider itself operates. It simply automates start/stop functionality with smart sensors and cobotic support.
From a customer perspective, that all-in-one setup meant easier purchasing, faster implementation, and less risk.
“The ROI Was Outstanding”
SurePoint’s goals were clear: improve safety, reduce maintenance, boost efficiency, and find automation wins that didn’t require adding headcount. The new system hit every mark.
Brady put it simply: “We used to be at about a foot a minute. Now we’re closer to 30 seconds a foot. The ROI was outstanding. It improved safety. It improved reliability. Changeover time dropped. Our safety manager was thrilled—it’s quieter, safer, and more efficient. It didn’t make sense to say no.”
Hope emphasized how quickly the team adapted to the new setup. She mentioned there was minimal training versus using their old machines. Most of the team has been cross-trained, and when issues pop up, Fred and his crew are quick to respond—often directly.
Even Fred admitted he was a little surprised by how fully customers like SurePoint are embracing the combo machine over retrofitting older models. “We designed BraiderBot to retrofit old NEBs and Wardwells,” he said. “But now, more and more, we’re seeing people just go all-in with the complete solution.”
More Than Automation—It’s a Workforce Multiplier
Perhaps the most telling moment of the conversation came when Brady shared a video with Fred. It showed four part numbers being braided simultaneously—only one operator in the room. “Once you get the BraiderBots going, you can run other jobs while they run,” Brady said. “If I’m alone, I can throw in an extension, walk away for 15 minutes, come back, and check on it. It keeps moving.”
Hope added that the BraiderBot’s sensors are tuned just right—not so sensitive that they shut down the machine unnecessarily, but responsive enough to stop if there’s a real issue (like a caught harness or an unexpected bump).
And while this setup didn’t necessarily allow them to braid new types of products, it dramatically reduced the manual effort required. “You’re not pulling with your hands and shoulders all day,” Brady said. “It creates a better work environment. Less fatigue. Less risk.”
A Partnership, Not Just a Product
All of this came together thanks to JobFlow’s consultative approach and long game. Fred and Larry stayed in contact with SurePoint for nearly three years—waiting for the right timing and budget alignment.
Brady credited the relationship directly: “They weren’t just trying to sell it. They knew they had a good product. They stayed engaged, and when the time was right, they helped us implement something that really fit our operation.”
That level of trust and service extended into support, too. Whether it’s a question about the BraiderBot itself or the underlying Cobra machine, the SurePoint team knows they can get quick answers to any issues from Fred and the team at JobFlow.
Final Takeaway
I thought I was going into a call to talk about BraiderBot. Instead, I came out understanding the value of JobFlow’s full integration model—a thoughtfully bundled solution that’s saving manufacturers time, money, and operator fatigue.
SurePoint didn’t just get a new cobot—they got a productivity leap. And in an industry where uptime, labor allocation, and safety are constant challenges, that kind of gain is more than automation—it’s transformation.
